TRAINER Kelly Schweida is certain he did the right thing in bypassing the spring carnival with Miss Cover Girl as he attempts to put a dent in Too Good To Refuse’s summer momentum in Saturday’s George Moore Stakes at Eagle Farm.

After Miss Cover Girl won the Group 1 Tatts Tiara in June, Schweida had planned a Melbourne spring tilt, but aborted the trip when he wasn’t satisfied with what he was seeing on the training track.

The mare’s main goal will be Magic Millions day next month, but her superb first-up record is sure to catch the attention of punters looking to bet around the favourite.

Miss Cover Girl was given a trial at Deagon on Tuesday to bring her up to speed.

“I don’t normally do that, but with the way the heat is predicted, I just preferred to have her a bit harder than soft for the first-up run,” Schweida said. “Before that, I jumped her out at home and she was really good when she just coasted behind Elegant Composure.

“I’m sure she will run well. I know she’s got a good fresh record, but she’s older now and hasn’t raced for five months, so it’s just a query on whether she needs the run.”

Kelso Wood wants more storms for first-up specialist Into The Red, who also resumes in the George Moore.

“He is fit enough, jumped out really well and I’m very happy with the way he’s going, but I just want some give in the ground for him,” he said. “He has a lot of feet issues and I just don’t want it to be too hard for him.”

Wood’s talented filly Criquette has been cleared to spend the next 6-8 weeks in the paddock, with the trainer hopeful she might return for the winter carnival.

A brilliant 2.5-length debut winner over Happy Event in October last year, Criquette was sidelined soon after with a serious leg injury and then had her comeback halted again when she suffered a hairline fracture to her tibia.

“That was a few months ago, but this week we took her to the vets at Gatton and they gave her the all clear to go to a spelling paddock. We’ve had her in cotton wool up until now,” Wood said. “I’m hopeful we can get her back for the winter carnival. It’s been a real shame because she has a huge amount of talent.”